Recorder for sawmills.



B. B. & J. W. SPRATLIN.

RECORDER FOR SAWMILLS.. APPLICATION FILED APR. 27,-1911.

I Patented ApI 1, 1913 B. B. & J. W. SPRATLIN RECORDER. FOR SAWMILLS; APPLIOATION FILED APR'.27,1911.

1,957,579. Patented Apr. 1,1913.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

B. B. & J. W. SPRATLIN.

RECORDER FOR SAWMILLS.

APPLIOATION FILED APR.27,1911.

1H Q H v MA I acf

w EM 6 o 7 M 1 w a M @L R L a J W I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN BARROW SPRATLIN AND JAMES WILL SPRA'ILIN, F HULL, GEORGIA, AS- SIGNORS OF ONE-THIRD '10 BENJAMIN HENRY BARROW, OF ATHENS, GEORGIA.

RECORDER FOR SAWMILLS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed April 27,1911. Serial No. 623,720.

Patented Apr. 1, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, BENJAMIN B. SPRAT- Lnrand JAMES W. SPRATLIN, citizens of the United States, residing at Hull, in the county of Madison and State of Georgia,

have invented a n w and useful Recorder for Sawmills, of whic 1 the following is a specification.

"This invention li'tls reference to improvements in recorders "for sawmills, and isdesigned to provide a recorder which will record each board cut and may be set so that each separate record w1ll-des1gnatetheboard feet of each board cut.

-The present invention 1s an attachment for sawmills requiring no change in the Working parts of the mill, and is so constructed that the board being cut will cause the actuation of the recorder the length of the board, and as all the boards cut from a single log are of the same length, 'the recorder is caused to operate by each' boa-rd cut to make a record of the particular number of boards of the particular length cut from the log. On the placing of another log in the mill, the recorder may be set to record the number of boards cut from the second log, assuming that the second log is of a different length than the first log, and the operation may be' continued indefinitely.

' The'recorder can be set to print numbers paper.

by'ascertaining the number .of boards cut,

the toil number of board feet is readily calculated. The recorder is, also. capable of indicating the lumber by other designations as it is cut up into lengths of suitable thickness and width.

The invention Wlll be best understood from a consideration of the following de-- tailed description taken in connection With the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, with the understandirrespective of post is a clip 2 threaded passage ing, however, that while the structure illustrated in the drawings is a practical embodiment of the invention, the latter is susceptible of Various modifications and changes without material departure from the scope of the invention.

In the drawings :-Figure 1 is an end elevation of a sawmill with the recorder of the present invention attached thereto. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the recorder on a larger scale than Fig. 1 and detached from the sawmill, the front of the recorder being removed to expose the interior thereof. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of 2. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-4) of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the type wheel. or annulus; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the type. Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig.4 with parts omitted. Fig. 9 is a detail elevation of a ratchet wheel whereby the imprint receiving-strip and the ink ribbon are propelled. Fig. 1!.) is a view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 3 showing some parts in a different operative position than Fig. Fig. 11 is, a displayed view of a reference sheet used in connection with the register.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a sawmill A which may be of any of the usual types, and since the structure of the sawmill does not enter into the present invention. no detailed description of such mill 4 is herein given. In connection with the showing of Fig. lthere is indicated a log B properly lodged on the mill for being divided by a circular saw C, forming part of the mill. into boards or other form of lumber of appropriate width and thickness.

The recorder is supported on a base or standard'l made fast to an appropriate portion of the sawmill, and surrounding this crank 3, by .means of which the clip 2 may be fastened at any point along the post 1.

The crank 3 is provided for ease of manipulation, and is in this respect superior to .a thumb screw for the same purpose. Fast to the clip 2 is abracket 4 carrying at the end remote from the clip a post or stem. 5. which, in the ordinary position of the recorder, is substantially upright. The post- 5 above the bracket 4 carries a disk 6, be-

having -at. .one. point a I for'the threaded end of a thereto is a shaft 17.

held to the tween which latter and the bracket 4 there is interposed another disk 7 provided with a hub 8 whereby the disk 7 is spaced front the bracket. On the side of the bracket 4 remote from the hub 8 there is another hub or block 9 having projecting therefrom an arm 10.

Secured at one end to the bracket 4 nearits point of connection with the clip 2 is a brace 11, in part substantially parallel with the post 5, and then bent and extending. to the latter, andthe post '5 is reduced at the corresponding end, as indicated at 12, and there traverses the brace and is secured thereto by a nut 13.

Secured to the post 5 near the reduced end 12 thereof, is a bar 14 extending in opposite directions from the 0st to about the same distance on each si e of the post, and at one end of this barthere is secured a pin 15 substantially perpendicular to the bar by nuts 16 or in any other appropriate manner. The other end of" the bar 14 has an angle member 16' attached thereto in substantially parallel relation to the corresponding end of the bar, and journaled in the angle member 16 and the end of the bar adjacent On the shaft 17 is a spool or drum 18, and on the pin 15 is asiinilar drum 19. The drum lS is keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft 17, so to turn therewith, but at the same time may be removed from the shaft at will. The drum or spool 19 may turn upon the pin 15 and may be removed therefrom at will, but the drum 191cm turn upon the pin 15 only by reason ofthe exertion of some little force; The two drums l8 and 19 are designed to carry a strip 20 of paper or other suitable record receiving material for a purpose which will appear hereinafter. 1 1

The bar 14 is provided with terminal angle extensions 21, 22, respectively, and the angle member 16 is provided with a ter niinal angle extension "23 similar to the extension 22 of the bar It. The shaft 17 carries a gear wheel 24 keyed or otherwise socured thereto, and this gear wheel isin mesh with another gear wheel 25 keyed orotherwise secured-to a shaft 26 journaled in the extensions 22 and. 23 'near the free ends thereof, the gear wheel 24 being lodged between the bar 14 and the angle member 16 and the gear wheel being'lodged between the ext lSlOllFs and 23. The shaft, 26 is in pa shaft '1'? and c? rics-i a drum or removabie i'r latter. :n'igle in tance pro" access to the several drums and "ma part mclose certain other portions 0 the,

- directed annular tongue l edge of a ring or annulus-47, wh1ch latter of about thesame thickness as the dlsk 6 ate distance from the extension 22. This ratchet wheel is constrained to move in one direction only by a back stop pawl 31 fast to the extension 22. a

The angle extension 21 carries a pin 31' in parallel relation to the pin 15, and this pin 31* carries a spool or drum 32 matching the drum 19. The spools 28 and-32 are designed to carry an ink ribbon 33 in such position as to act upon the pa. er strip 20 under conditions to be describe Fast to the disk 6 is a guiding finger 34 having its opposite edges rounded and designed to override he paper strip 20 and to operate as a fixed platen. ,The disk 6 also carries another finger 35 in underridin spacedrelation to the finger 34 and-provided at a suitable point with a perforation or passage 36 in position to match the ribbon 33 and paper strip 20 which are conducted between the fingers 34 and 351 The elements, so far described are in part protected by an inclosing casing 37 traversed and secured by the reduced portion 12 of the stem 5, and, -also, by other parts of the frame of the recorder. This casing is provided at what may be termed the front with a door 38 secured at one edge to the casing by hinges 39, and at the other edge b a latch 40, the hinges 39 so porting the oor at what may be termed the lower edge of the door when the device is in operative position, and the latch 40enga ing what may be termed the upper edge ot the door. An appropriate knob 41 provides for the manipulation of the door when such is desirable, Within the casing there is a wall 42 between the spools or drums 18 and 19 and the bar 14, while the casing is formed with drop portions 43 lodging the drums 28 and 32. The door 38 is so located asto give structure to. be described. To prevent accidental c'ontact of the the ribbon 33, the casing is provided with a web or wall 43* extending between the band and ribbon-and provided'with an opening 44 coincident with the and the finger 35.

The disk 6 is termed its under side with a rabbet 45 and the edge of the disk 7 underrides this rabbeted portion of the disk 6 so that the disks 6 and 7 provide a peripheral groove between them in which is lodged an' inwardly 46 formed on one is held to the disk (3 by the disk 7 enthe' tongue 46, but'rnay be rotated relation to the disk 6 without inter- G and dish 7 are connected is 49 o otherwise, and one of these bolts paper band 20 Withplaten or finger 34 provided on what may be ice by either 'th'edislt 6 or disk]. Thetogether by utilized "for securing the fingers 34 and 3 5"t'0 the disk 6. The parts are, moreover; further held together by the stem 5, which is )rovide'd at what may be termed its 'lower en with a head 50 and is threaded and circular 'series of holes or passages 52 in provided with a'nut 51 in position to engage the disk. 6 on what may be termed its upper face, The annulus 47 is provided with a 6 parallel relation to the axis of rotation of the ring or annulus 47, and extending through each passage 5; is a stem 53 formed "near one end with a segmental enlargement 5'4 beyond-whieh, in line with the axis of the stem 53, there isv an extension 55 constitut- "an nnprinting'member 56 which in the pars ticnla r arrangement shown is shaped to proingg'a type having its free end .formed with "duce the iniprint of a number. The stem at the end remote from the enlargement 54, is formed with an axial projection 57,

which maybe madeof a material such as hardened steel capable of withstanding nu- Y. m rousblow and the yp a 55 y l be made of a material to with- "stand blows. While the type member made of the stem and body 54 and other parts carried by these members may be made all in one piece, it is not mandatory that f'such should bethe case, for the extension 57 land'type member 55may be made in' one continuous piece extending axially through (the stem 53 and body portion 54. The type .members are arranged in a circular series .aslandj fcarried by the ring 47 with the body 1, portions 54'abutting, the said abutting portions being in radial relation to the axis of the" ring 47. The body portions 54, as well as jt-lie s tems 53yserve to guide the type memgbers when they are moved longitudinally, as "will hereinafter appear, in the ring 47. The

type l56-are'preferably arranged to present "consecutive numbers, but this is not at all mandatory and any arrangement of imprint- 45 ing members may be provided. The visible je dgefof the ring 47 is provided with like "indications, so that an operator may readily ascertain which typoh in proper relation to I ,thepassage 36, the imprinting ends of the a'o'ftype members being in operation projected through the passage 36 in the finger 35 into engagement with the ribbon 33, so' as to 'movethe' latter against the strip 20 and said hand against the finger or platen 34,

a lever 58 having a short arm 59 bent to one 80 side and provided with a cam head 6Q, so pos t oned that when the lever is rocked in one direction on a pivot pin 61 by means of which it isiastcued to the arm 10, the cam blockis carried into engagement with the extension 57 of'the type member in the path of this block and the "type member is moved in the direction of the length of the axis of the stem 53 to cause the type 56 to engage the ribbon and imprint on the paper in the manner described. The lever 58 is constantly ur ed in a direction to cause the en ga ement o the cam 60 with the extension 57 0 a type by a spring 62, one end of which is connected to the short arm 59 of the lever and the other end to an appropriate portion of the clip 2.

The long arm of the lever extends in what may be termed a downward direction, and its extremity is bent at an angle as indicated at 63, and near the end of this angle extension there is a slot 64 traversed by a bolt 65 constituting a journal support for a roller 66, this roller being designed to engage that portign of the log B to be out o by the saw The long arm of the lever 58 carries an elongated pawl member 67 having its free end 68 in position to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 29 and the end 68 of the pawl,

as well as the teeth of the ratchet 29, are so related that a rocking movement of the lever about its pivot 61 will cause a progressive step by step rotation of the ratchet 29.' The end 68 of the pawl 67 is set at an'angle to the axis of rotation of the pawl and to a plane perpendicular to said axis, so that a movement of the active portion of the end 68 will have a cam effect on the ratchet 29 to cause its rotation the distance of one tooth on the movement of the lever 58 to the proper extent.

The clip '2 has extending therefrom an arm 69 bent into concentric relation to the axis of the ring 6 and journaled in the free end of this arm there is a shaft having at one end a hand wheel 70' and at the other.

end a bevel pinion 71 formed with teeth, between .which the extensions 57 may engage, so that on rotating the hand wheel 70 rotative movement may be imparted to the ring 47 to any desired extent, the extensions 57 acting the same as the teeth of a gear wheel, of which the ring 47 may be considered as the body.

The operator first ascert-ain's' the proper data as to the boards to be out from a certain log, and by a manipulation of the hand wheel 7 first brings the appropriate type into position to be engaged by the cam 60 and to imprint on the paper strip 20. This data is obtained fron 'a sheet 72, a portion of which is shown separately in Fig 11, and this sheet is, for convenience of inspection and for protection, lodged within a transparent casing 73 carried by a stem which may be lodged in a sleeve 74 carried by the bracket 75 fast to the bar 14, or to any other appropriate portion of the mechanism. The casing 73 is readily rotatable to bring any portion of "the sheet 7 2 'into clearly readable position, and this sheet may contain such data as will be helpful to the operator in setting the machine. For instance, in the particular arrangement shown in the portion of the sheet illustrated in Fig. 11, the thick ness, width and length of boards is given and the number of board feet agreeable to such sizes, and the sheet may contain all the data desirable,

Let it be assumed that the log B is of some standard length and the timber to be cut therefrom is to be of some standard width and thiclmess. Merely by way of example let it be assumed that the log to be cut is sixteen feet in length and eighteen inches thick, and that each board is to be cut one inch thick. .This will mean twenty-four board feetto each board, and, therefore, the type designed to mark the number twentyfour on the paper strip 20 is brought into position for that purpose. As soon as the log is put into position, the wheel (36 is so related thereto that it will be engaged by the side of the log from which the board is to be cut and the lever 58 1s moved into a posijtion which will carry the cam block 60 away from the particular-type to be acted upon and stretch the spring 62. The sawing ot the log may then proceed and the roller (36 will merely idly rotate. ,Vhen, however, the end of the log passes beyond the roller 6 the lever 58 is released to the action of the spring 62 and the ca m block 60 is brought into engagement with the particular type member moving the latter loiuritudinally to an extent causing an imprint: upon the paper. hen the log is returned for a second cut, it is shifted over an appropriate distance and when it engage-i the roller (36 the lever 58 is again moved into a position carrying the block 60 away from the type member and stretching the spring oz and this movement causes the pawl end (38 to engage the ratchet wheel 29 to impart thereto a rotative movement which in turn is imparted to the shaft 26, and by way of the gear wheels 25 and 2 t to the shaft 17, so that both the ribbon and the paper are wound to an appropriate extent upon the respective drums 28 and I8 and unwound from the corresponding other drums, thus bringing fresh surfaces of both the ribbon and paper into position to cause a new imprint spaced from the first imprint when the log is again passed beyond controlling effect upon the roller 66. This action is continued until the log has been sawed up, although it may be necessary at times to operate the lever as by hand for the last one or two boards cut, for which purpose there is provided a handle 53 on the lever 58. If the next log be of a ditt'erent length or width, 011' the board he of a diii'erent thickness than the one first out, the annulus 47 is rotated untilthe proper type is brought into position, this type being readily ascertained from inspection of the table 72, and the operation is repeated. By reference to the paper strip 20 after the sawing operations have been completed, it becomes an easy matter to count up the number of boards. cut and their sizes by board feet or otherwise recorded on the paper strip. The action of the recording mechanism is practically automatic and the rec--- ord is accurate and without the liability of mistakes when the tallying of the lumber cut depends upon some attendant who may be come careless and so fail to give the proper total, either overcounting or under counting.

Should it transpire that the mill is occupied for a considerable period of time, say a day or more, in sawing up logs into boards of the same length, width and thickness, no attention whatsoever is required on the part of the operator, forthe actua 'tion of the recorder for the logs when brought into position to be presented to the saw automatically engage the roller 66 and move the lever 58 to substantially the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and when the log has passed beyond controlling relation to the roller 66 the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 10 to be again returned to the first position, when the log is once more placed for presentation to the saw to out the next board, and this may contiinie indefinitely until the whole number of lggs is cut up into boards, when-reference tothe strip 20 will enable the operator or other authorized person to ascertain the producing means, record receiving means,

and actuating means for said record receiving and record producing means, the said actuatingmeans being movable by passing lumber toeausc the actuation of the recor receiving means and movable after the passage of the lumber to cause the actuation of the record producing means.

2. A recorder for sawmills having record receiving means, record producing means, the latter includin r a plurality of imprinting members mova le at will to bring any chosen imprinting member into operative position to the exclusion of the others, an actuating means for the record producing means having a range of movement under the action of passing lumber to' move the record receiving means to present an un- -used record surface. and movable en es- .means, and a lever having a normal con-v cape from the passing lumber to cause the chosen; positioned one of t he imprinting members to engage the record receiving means. v

3. A recorder for sawmills having a record receiving means, a record producing straint in one direction and adapted to actuate the record receiving means and the record producing means in succession said lever being also'adapted to be engaged by that portion of a log to be severed by the i saw of the sawmill when the log is moving intooperatiVe'relation to the saw, the movement of the lever against its normal constraint' causing the actuation of the record receiving means and the movement of the ever under its normal constraint causing the actuatlon of the record producing means.

i ,4. A recorder 'forsawmills comprising a suitable frame, a carrier on said frame for 'aweb designedjto receive an'imprint, inkififg means also'onsaid frame, imprint produclngdevices mounted on said frame, and

- a lever having a normal constraint in one means in operative relation to an imprint receiving member when in position on its support, imprinting devices carried by the frame, "and. a lever carrled by the frame and having a normal constramt in one d1- rear-1e11, said lever being provided at one end with ineans for engaging and actuating the imprint producing devices and at the other'end with means for engagementqof a log therewith when in position to'be presented totlie saw of the sawmill, the lever then'moving in opposition tov its normal constraint. i

.6. A'recorder for sawmills comprising'a suitable frame, means thereonfor supporting an imprint receiving member, inking means in operative relation to an imprint receiving member when in position on its support, imprinting devices carried by the frame, and a lever carried by the frame and havlng'a normal-constraint 111 one direction,

" said lever being provided at one end with means for engaging and actuating the 1mprint producing devices and at the other end with means for. engagement with a log therewith when in position to be presented to the saw of the sawmill, th lever then moving in opposition to its normal con-- I straint, the lever and inking and imprint supporting devices being provided with coengagement with a log. t v

11. A recorder for sawmllls comprising acting means forv tuating said devicesto advance the imprint receiving member at each actuation of the lever.

7. In a recorder for sawmills, imprint receiving means, imprint producing means comprising aseries ottype members movable at Wlll into operative relation to the imprint receivin 'means, and means adapted to be actuate by a log when in. position to be presented to the saw of the sawmill for causing the movement of the imprinting devices into operative relation to. the

imprint receiving means.

8. A recorder for sawmills having imprint receivlng means, a movable series of imprinting devices, eachcapable of actua-l tion to cause an imprint on the imprint receivlng means, means for moving chosen ones of the lmprmting devices mto operiative positioh, and means responsive to a log be ng acted upon by the sawmill for actuating the imprinting devices. 9. A recorder for sawmills havin rint receiving means, a rotatable series of individually movable imprinting member's,

means for moving any one-of the imprint- I ing members into operative relationto the imprint-receiving means at will, and means responsive .to a portion of a log to be severed by the saw of the, sawmill for:causing theactuationpf a chosen imprinting means each time-the logispre'sented to the saw of the sawmill.'

110; A" recorder for sawmills having imprint receiving means, a rotatable series of individually movable imprintingmember's, means -for moving any one of the imprintmembers into operative. relation to the nnprlnt receiving means at W111, and means TBSIJOIISlVe to a P01131011: of a log to be severedby the saw of the sawmill for causing the actuation of a chosen imprinting means each time the log is presented to -the saw of the sawmill, said means for actuating the imprinting, means comprising a lever movable g into andputof operative relation to the imprinting means and having one end adapted to been'ga'ged by the log, and a spring constraining-the lever in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved by an imprint receiving means, shifting means for said imprint receiving means, a rotatable series of type members movable into and out of engagement 'with the imprint receiving means, a lever having at one end means for engaging the type members to move,them into active relation to the imprint receiving means and at the other end provided with means for engaging the portlOIl of a logto be severed by the saw of the sawmill, means carried by the lever for producing a step'by step actuation of the shifting means forthe imprint receiving .members into active position,

having one end provided with means for :tion 'ofa log to be severed means, and a spring connected to the lever and constraining ;it beyondengaging position with the active type member.

12. A recorder for saw mills comprising a support for a'band designed to receive an imprint, a support for an inking ribbon, an actuating means for the ribbon and imprint receiving band, a rotatable series of type members each movable in the direction of its length in said support into and out of active engagement with the hiking ribbon to produce an imprint upon the imprint receiving band, naeans for rotating port to bring any chosen one of the type and a lever engaging the active type member in one position of the lever and at the other end providedzvvith means for engaging the por- I by the savv of the sawmill," a spring constraining the lever into active relation to the active type'memher, and yieldable to the action of the log, upon the'ot-herend of the lever, and means carried by the lever for bystep shift of the record receiving means each tune the lever is actuated. r g

13. I-i a recorder for' sawmills, a type carrier, type members adapted thereto and each comprising ashai'i'k 'orstem, a body portion at one end" of said stem, said body portion beingadapted 'tto engage the type carrier with the stem extending thercthrough, an extension from said body member constituting the im rintingportioir of extension'arom thejend of the istem remote from the body member, and anactuating means for the type adapted to engage the last named end.

1 In a recorder for saw mills, a type carrier, type members adapted thereto and each comprising a shank or stem, a body portion at one end of said stem, said body portion being adapted to engage the type carrier with the stem extending therethrough, anextensionfrom said body member constituting the iniprintingportion of thctype, an extension from the end of the stem remote from the body member, an actuatingmeans for the typeadapted to engage the ast named end, and a gear member in position to engage the said last named ends successively to impartmotion to the carrier and the type members supported thereon.

15. Ina recorder for sa vn'iills,record re-. ceiving means, a rotatable carrier, a circular series of type members having printing ends the sup producing a step the type, an

adapted to cause impressions on the imprhitreceiving devices, each type member being movable in the direction of its length in the carrier and having the end remote from the impression producing means projecting beyond the corresponding face of the carrier, a gear member in position to engage the said pro ecting ends SLICCQSSlViY to impart rotagive motion to the carries and type thereon,-

'a-I1d means forengaging the said last named ends of chosen ones of the type to move the type in the direction of their length into imprinting engagement. with the imprint receiving devices.

l6 In a recorder for sawmills. record re ,ceiving means, a rotatable carrier, a circular.

series of type members thereon; having printing ends adapted to cause impressions on the imprint receiving devices, each type member being movable inithe direction of its lengthin the carrier and having the end remote from the impression producing end prejecting beyond the corresponding face ofthe carrier. a gear member imposition to engage the said prbjecting ends successively to impart rotative motion to, the carrier and type thereon, and means for engaging thp. said last named ends of chosen ones of thetype to move the type in. the direction of their length into imprinting engagement with the imprint receiving devices, said type actuating means comprising a lever having at one .end av cam block adapted to actuate the type and at the other end means forengaginga log to be moved thereby, said lever having a spring connected thereto for imparting to it a normal tendency to. move into engagement with the type. 17. A recorder for sawmllls comprising the, others, means responsive to the portion of a;log being presented to, the saw for causing the actuation of chosen ones of the impression producingmeans, and readily visible means for indicating the particular impression producing means to be used for lumber of predetermined sizes.

In testimony, that we claimthe foregoing as our own, we have hereto afiixcd our signatures in the presence of twowitnesscs.

BENJAMIN BARROW SPItATliIN. I JAMES WILL SPRATIJN. WVitnessesz-- JAMES C. 00m, A. P. Fonn.

imprint receiving means, a series of impresu .slon producing means each different irom 

